Judge stops Barbour prisoner release

JACKSON, Miss. — A Mississippi judge has temporarily blocked the release of 21 inmates who had been given pardons or medical release by Republican Haley Barbour in one of his final acts as governor.

Circuit Judge Tomie Green issued an injunction late Wednesday at the request of Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood.

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Hood said he believes Barbour might have violated the state constitution by pardoning some inmates who failed to give sufficient public notice that they were seeking to have their records cleared.

Barbour in a statement Wednesday said he believes people have misunderstood why he gave reprieves to more than 200 inmates. Most received full pardons, while some received suspended sentences because of medical conditions.